Efficacy of dance-based paradigms, wearable sensors, and auditory feedback for gait retraining in children: A feasibility study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Different feedback modes such as auditory, visual and haptic have been used in the past for gait retraining or learning movement patterns. The primary goal of this study was to investigate whether real time auditory feedback would be effective in children learning novel, dance-based movement patterns. For this purpose, a prototype wearable sensor was developed to provide auditory feedback whenever a child touches their heel to the ground. METHODS: To test the effectiveness of the auditory feedback in learning new patterns, typically developing children were taught simple Indian dance protocols consisting of four counts of foot-work which involved alternating heel-toe movements. The effect of wearing the sensor was assessed by the maximum vertical force with which the subjects struck their foot on the plate. RESULTS: Auditory feedback reduced the learning time and increased the number of correct movement patterns for trial duration of 2 min. The prototype device did not alter the maximum force with which the subject placed the foot on the ground. CONCLUSIONS: Real time auditory feedback can be reliably used to learn novel movement patterns.